Summer green manures or gluten free grain crops very early varieties for cool climates. The importance of these for growers is that they will set seed in a short growing season every year. The timing of rainfall is not critical for seed production, but the crop, if grown for seed, will need consistent watering through all stages of growth.

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This variety of grain millet, selected by Bob Reid has large weeping purple seed heads containing many seeds on darker green/purple stems. It flowers and sets seeds early, so is very suitable for grain production for the keen home gardener. Sow seeds in fine good well drained soil in rows 20cm apart 5mm deep, no more, in late Spring early Summer soil temps about 17 degrees Gluten free grain, very high in nutrients, sprinkle seed on cereals, in soup, stews or sauces .It is very desirable for gluten free flour in larger quantities.

The other main use which we recommend is as a Summer green manure this variety grows quickly from seed when sown in late Spring early Summer, soil temps about 17 degrees, This will tolerate hot dry conditions and some drought, swamps out weeds and keep soil moist under the leaf canopy, cut down before flowering.

This variety of millet has been selected by Bob Reid for cool climates, it has large weeping plump golden brown weeping seed heads containing many seeds, info can be found on other web sites. It is particularly useful as a forage crop, but the seeds can also be used for chicken feed, caged birds, and human consumption as a grain.

Very useful as a Summer green manure as it tolerates hot dry conditions, swamps out weeds, has fine fibrous roots which break down easily and the top growth can be dug in or used as a mulch for late Summer Autumn sowing or planting. Sow as for Indian barnyard millet.

This variety of foxtail millet has been selected by Bob Reid it has large plump green to yellow seed heads, containing many seeds, the classic millet stick used for caged birds.

The other main use which we recommend is as a Summer green manure this variety grows quickly from seed when sown in late Spring early Summer, soil temps about 17 degrees. This will tolerate hot dry conditions and some drought, swamps out weeds and keep soil moist under the leaf canopy, cut down before flowering.

This is an exciting selection of the tall large leafed flowering amaranthus, by Bob Reid, it can be used as a decorative annual ornamental in the flower garden getting to about 2m tall with huge colourful heads, or as a Summer green manure, or for the keen home gardener as a grain crop, the seeds are sown about 5mm deep, no more, in 20cm rows in good well drained soil in late Spring early Summer. Seed heads form mid to late Summer. Harvest seed by rubbing hands gently over the bottom most seed heads first into a paper bag, as the heads mature break them off and hang upside down in a dry shed over a clean tarpaulin.

The seeds are sprinkled over breakfast cereals, in soups or stews. It is a grain amaranth, the leaves on this variety are bitter.

This variety of grain millet, selected by Bob Reid, has large weeping golden seed heads containing many seeds. It flowers and sets seeds early, so is very suitable for grain production for the keen home gardener. Sow seeds in fine good well drained soil in rows 20cm apart 5mm deep, no more, in late Spring early Summer soil temps about 17 degrees Gluten free grain, very high in nutrients, sprinkle seed on cereals, in soup, stews or sauces. It is very desirable for gluten free flour in larger quantities.

The other main use which we recommend is as a Summer green manure this variety grows quickly from seed when sown in late Spring early Summer, soil temps about 17 degrees. This will tolerate hot dry conditions and some drought, swamps out weeds and keep soil moist under the leaf canopy, cut down before flowering.

This is an exciting selection of the tall large leafed flowering amaranthus, by Bob Reid, it can be used as a decorative annual ornamental in the flower garden getting to about 2m tall with huge colourful heads, or as a Summer green manure, or for the keen home gardener as a grain crop, the seeds are sown about 5mm deep, no more, in 20cm rows in good well drained soil in late Spring early Summer. Seed heads form mid to late Summer. Harvest seed by rubbing hands gently over the bottom most seed heads first into a paper bag, as the heads mature break them off and hang upside down in a dry shed over a clean tarpaulin.

The seeds are sprinkled over breakfast cereals, in soups or stews. It is a grain amaranth, the leaves on this variety are bitter.

This is an exciting little known plant that we have grown for the home gardener. It flowers and sets seeds early, so is very suitable for grain production for the keen home gardener. Sow seeds in fine good well drained soil in rows 20cm apart 5mm deep, no more, in late Spring early Summer soil temps about 17 degrees.

Gluten free grain, very high in nutrients, sprinkle seed on cereals, in soup, stews or sauces. It is very desirable for gluten free flour in larger quantities. It has upright plump black seed heads containing many seeds.

The other main use which we recommend is as a Summer green manure this variety grows quickly from seed when sown in late Spring early Summer, soil temps about 17 degrees. This will tolerate hot dry conditions and some drought, swamps out weeds and keep soil moist under the leaf canopy, cut down before flowering.

This is a selection of white, red purple and lilac flowered quinoa which set heavy early seeds that is cultivated in the highlands of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador and Peru. The Inca Emporers broke the soil with a golden spade to sow the first crop. In their language it is referred to as chisiya mama or mother grain. It is very high in protein.

Sowing: Quinoa needs a well prepared seed bed free from weeds, especially fat hen which is in the same family and can be a serious problem with the cropping programme. Quinoa does not tolerate poorly drained soils. Scatter the seeds and lightly rake in, water lightly. When germinated it grows very fast, our selection matures in 90 days. We will scarify the seeds for you prior to sending. The plants are pulled up when the seeds are plump and ripe and the stems dying back. For cooking find the many recipes on the web, it really is a delicious dish as a starter or a main course.